Visit the Zoo — Hugh Stevenson, 1936–1937

Visit the Zoo is Hugh Stevenson’s bold WPA-era interpretation of an elephant, reduced to powerful shapes and a remarkably limited palette. Viewed directly from the front, the elephant fills the composition with its broad ears, long central trunk and small pale tusks. Deep indigo and blue stand sharply against a luminous yellow-green background.

Designed in 1936 or 1937 for the Pennsylvania WPA Federal Art Project, the poster uses the graphic character of a color woodcut to create an image that is simple, direct and immediately recognizable. A heavy dark border frames the animal and continues into the lower panel, where oversized lettering announces “Visit the Zoo.” The combination of animal imagery, strong symmetry and block-printed texture gives the work its distinctive 1930s character.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Hugh Stevenson, designer
• Title: Visit the Zoo
• Original title: Visit the zoo
• Series: Work Projects Administration Poster Collection
• Date: 1936 or 1937
• Period: 1930s / WPA Era
• Place of Origin: Pennsylvania, United States
• Medium: Color woodcut poster

Framed Print Details

• Fine art printing: Professional 12-color fine art printing technology produces vivid, accurate colors with strong tonal depth and significantly greater nuance than standard 4-color inkjet printing.
• Paper: Smooth premium matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper weight: 200 gsm (80 lb).
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mils).
• Frame material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame dimensions: Approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) deep and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the print while keeping the framed artwork lightweight.
• Ready to hang: A hanging kit is included, allowing the framed print to be mounted directly on the wall.
• Available sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different spaces.
• Materials: Printed using FSC-certified paper and wood where available.
• Production: Each framed print is produced to order through a trusted international network of professional print studios.
• Shipping: Worldwide shipping is available.
• Made to order: There is no minimum order quantity. Each piece is printed and assembled on demand, reducing unnecessary stock and waste.

Exact frame dimensions, component availability, and production specifications may vary slightly depending on the selected size and destination.